On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Moldova’s Independence, President Maia Sandu addressed a message to citizens, urging Moldovans to remain united, have confidence in their country, and continue building a free and strong state.

At the outset, the President paid tribute to the generation of the National Renaissance, which took risks and made sacrifices for the right to live freely at home and to leave a free country to their children. “They did their duty — they created an independent state. We have a duty to help it grow,” the President emphasized.

Maia Sandu then addressed the challenges facing the Republic of Moldova today: propaganda that promotes division and distrust, the illegal presence of the Russian army, drones that threaten peace, and dirty money used by certain political parties seeking to weaken the state from within. In the face of these threats, the President called on the entire society to rediscover “the enthusiasm and strength to believe in our country” that characterized those who forged independence.

The President called for reflection on the path the Republic of Moldova has taken during its 35 years of independence. “The fact that we still have many problems to solve does not erase the progress made by Moldova and its people,” Maia Sandu stated, noting that citizens have jointly protected democracy, which remains indispensable to the country’s independence. “Our people no longer want to live in a prison-country ever again,” the President stressed.

The President also noted that independence unites people regardless of age, profession, language spoken, place of residence, or political views. “Independence is not about being the same; independence does not require us to be identical, but to be free together. Our direction is shared — towards the European Union. Because there, identity is respected, not controlled,” Maia Sandu declared.

The President encouraged citizens not to give up when times are difficult and not to forget that everyone contributes, through what they do every day, to what the country looks like: “The Republic of Moldova is what we are. Who we are at work, who we are in our families, who we are on the streets of our villages, and even who we are on the internet. Let us be everywhere the way we want the Republic of Moldova to be,” Maia Sandu emphasized.

In conclusion, the President spoke about everyone’s responsibility for the future and about the power to achieve together the things that matter for the country. “Thank you for being free, because as long as you are free, the Republic of Moldova will be free. Each of us can do the small things alone for our family. The big things we can do only together,” the President concluded.